General Chat

Nudge
Linda

hi shirley my mate .hows you.lovely to see you about.your a star.xx

n

Where we live, we have an "Out of the Cold" programme. From Nov 1st till April 1st, every night of the week there is a hot meal, a place to sleep and breakfast for those in need. This was achieved by 7 churches in the city cooperating and providing the above one night a week for 5 months of the year. Each church has their own menu which they serve once a week. Volunteers are not just from the church hosting, but gathered from around the city. Some come for 2 hours, some stay overnight, some come for breakfast. A local dry cleaner cleans the blankets weekly, the mattresses were donated, not a fancy spot but warm and comfortable. Local bakeries deliver their daily leftover breads, sweets etc, plus individuals donate an item such as my family, we make a batch of 6 dozen bran muffins once a month and they freeze what they don't use for the next week. This has been going on for about 10 years and has caught on,in other towns. Most nights there can be 75 guests for an evening meal, about 1/2 stay overnight. It has really opened peoples eyes as to the need. We provide new towels, toothbrushes/paste and underwear regularly thanks to donations, and at Christmas each guest receives a special gift.
We happen to be living in Canada, but we don't have a monopoly on homelessness, despair or poverty.

Anyone can become homeless......I earned a good salery, was made redundant and opened my own business which failed. It is only my elderly parents that have kept the roof over my head and food in my stomach. Without their help I am no doubt I would be on the streets

Oleen, that sound wonderful its a pity there weren't more places like that here.

Colin how right you are it nearly happenend to me and mine a few years ago. so yes we never know what is waitng around the corner.
Its a mith that every homeless person, family are either drinkers or drug takers.
And not lets forget that alcoholism is an illness and a terrible illness at that.
We see these people on the street and have no idea of what they may have suffered before they ended up on the street,
believe me i deal with these stories on a daily basis, and some are so shocking and heartbreaking , i find it hard not to shed a tear in front of them at times. I spend weeks helping them pick up the peices of their shattered lives and making them feel worthwhile, luckily most of my residents get housed from the centre after about 3 to 6 months. At Christmas i make sure they all have presents and the kiddies don't go with out, I have to add i do have a Fairy godmother that helps make this possible every year, and thats our very own MAISIE
FROM WALES. she is a true angel.

Shirley Ann.

Hi Shirley Ann, sorry I haven't got those duvets to you still, but this might change in the next few weeks as now I am back from holiday and an oap with no work to go to,so I must find time to sort things out and get rid of stuff etc. I will try hard to get everything together and to you before Christmas.

Re Greg, he had his op and seemed to be a lot better but I had been told he had an expensive drug habit which would explain his begging, as he should have been able to manage on what he was getting, so I think I might have had the wool pulled over my eyes a bit, along with many others who had helped him. Just before I went away, I saw him in the city and he was talking to someone on his mobile as he walked along, and either didn't see me wave at him as I approached, or he blanked me. He looked awful again, gaunt and grubby. I feel sad for him if he couldn't make the most of the chances and help he got but will probably see him again soon and might find out more then.
Liz

Nudge

Linda

Hello Liz, no problem. As for Greg it is a sad fact that addicts only get help when it clicks into their brain to do so, its not really thier fault as they can't just wake up one morning a think right im going to stop using, as their body tells them different.they may want to but its very hard for them to do.
and very sad.

Shirley Ann.

I know Shirley Ann, I don't condemn Greg but wish he could stay clean, he was good for a while after he had his heart op and started to look really well again.
I will phone him another day when I feel better myself, am a bit tired and down since getting back from hols. etc. Was a very emotional trip.
Lizx

Nudge to bring back to page 1.

I hope you feel better soon Liz. i think what you did for greg was really great. you did as much as you could do.You did what most wouldn't have bothered to do, you showed him a little kindness and treated him like a human being.

Shirley Ann.

Evening Nudge

To remind everyone

Linda

Thanks Shirley Ann. I always feel everyone deserves a chance and a smile or a friendly word never comes amiss. Never know if I might need help someday or a member of my family need a friend.

Lizx

I received a box of clothes and gifts for one of my residents today from Maisie in Wales.
She is the kindest most thoughtful person i have ever known, we have never met personally but it is a privilege to have her as a friend.
Thank you so very much Maisie.

Shirley Ann.

n

Went shopping for toiletries this morning for the boxes I will give to my daughter to pass to the homeless out reach workers to get to those who really need them.

Hoping it helps even one person at this time of year

Regards Linda

Thats really good of you Linda, you will make someone very happy.

Shirley Ann.

Pease keep these homeless threads going, as if only a few people do a bit to help it will make such a difference to someone less fortunate than ourselves.

Shirley Ann.

Shirley oor Maisie I have had the privilege to meet and she is a very wonderful person if I might say so my self and I am glad you consider her a friend I just wish you to could meet and you will see even more how brill she is